The AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 ushered in 2018 in style with the unveiling of the competition’s official slogan – Bringing Asia Together.

Following a month-long world-wide fan engagement campaign, the slogan was selected for reflecting the spirit of the competition, which will feature its largest-ever cast of 24 teams across the five AFC zones.

Fan engagement has grown from strength to strength, eventually reaching fever pitch during the star-studded AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Final Draw at the United Arab Emirates’ iconic Burj Khalifa with the launch of the tournament’s official mascots – Mansour and Jarrah.?

Since the duo’s grand arrival on the scene, Mansour and Jarrah have been featuring actively to engage schools and the community as preparations for the tournament enter its final stages.

Even as engagement activities continue to gather momentum off-the-pitch, so have efforts to enhance the quality and stature of Asia’s premier competition on it.?

After 17 editions and 63 years, the AFC’s efforts to stage the greatest tournament in history was further strengthened with the launch of a stunning new trophy.?

Designed and made by world renowned silversmiths Thomas Lyte of London, the trophy eloquently communicates the powerful spirit of the world’s second oldest continental football competition and captures excitement and drama of the tournaments ahead.

Taking the competition to even greater heights, the AFC also introduced a total prize purse of USD$14.8 million, making the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 the richest-ever edition in Asian football history.?

As the competition nears full swing, the imminent growth of the competition is also attracting the attention of some of the biggest commercial names, with Molten Corporation becoming the latest partners to recognise the ever-growing appeal of the AFC’s competitions.?

The Japanese sports equipment giants will be the official match ball suppliers for the AFC’s national and club events, including its crowning jewel, the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.

Matching an exuberant approach to fan engagement and an unwavering commitment to the quality of the tournament, the AFC and the Local Organising Committee are leaving no stone unturned to deliver a truly memorable UAE 2019.

With the tournament now just six months way, and the anticipation and excitement building up, the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 looks set to become one of the greatest spectacles in world football.